Spin-flop phase transitions in vdW antiferromagnet MnPSe3

Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waal (vdW) magnets are gaining significance in exploring fundamental condensed matter physics and developing cutting-edge technologies. Here, we report the structural and magnetic properties of the antiferromagnetic semiconductor MnPSe3 crystal. Intriguing magnetic behaviors and the strong anisotropy of the bulk crystal have been investigated through temperature-dependent magnetization studies along with the observation of Néel temperature at TN=70±2 K. At temperatures below TN, the bulk MnPSe3 exhibits field-induced spin-flop phase transitions with a spin-flop field (HSF) of nearly 8 kOe at 5 K. These transitions are evidenced from isothermal magnetization measurements conducted at low temperatures. Moreover, temperature-dependent enhancement in HSF was also studied. Our findings motivate the exploration of intrinsic magnetic interactions in 2D MnPSe3 and incorporating it into functional vdW heterostructures and devices.